The IBD-AID Protocol: What is It and What Are the Benefits?
The IBD-AID protocol was established under the UMass Chan Medical Center for Applied Nutrition as a means of treating many gastrointestinal diseases. While the protocol is mainly implemented for the treatment of IBD (Inflammatory Bowel Disease), it has also been very effective in managing and treating other GI issues such as IBS and Constipation. IBD is a term that encompasses two diseases, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease, which are both characterized by the commonality of chronic inflammation. This inflammation can be influenced by factors such as diet and stress, but can also act as part of an immune response. When chronic inflammation in our gut and GI tract occurs, it can cause imbalances in the gut microbiome and destroy the healthy bacteria living there. The IBD-AID protocol seeks to ‘starve’ out the unhealthy bacteria in the gut and restore our microbiome with healthy and flourishing bacteria.
An article from the World Journal of Gastroenterology sought to identify risk factors in the pathogenesis of Irritable Bowel Disease and identified four factors that were involved in the progression of IBD. The first was Genetics, the second was External Environment, then Intestinal Microbial Flora (our gut and intestinal bacteria), and lastly immune responses. Some key takeaways from this research showed that smoking, Vitamin D Deficiency, and stress were major external environmental factors that were found in patients with IBD. Another note of importance was that the research indicated that bacteria can influence both our innate and adaptive immune systems, explaining why the immune response is diminished in many patients with IBD. It is important to understand the risk factors of IBD, especially as some can be reduced through lifestyle changes.
The protocol requires the elimination of certain foods that act as key inhibitors of inflammation. The four foods that contribute to this are corn, wheat, lactose, and refined sugar. While the protocol calls to eliminate these foods, it stressed the importance of incorporating healthy foods into the diet. It emphasizes probiotic foods, prebiotic foods and soluble fiber, healthy fats, vegetables, fruits, lean protein, herbs, and certain beverages such as water, herbal teas, coffee, and juices that contain no sugar. Although this protocol may seem difficult to adapt to and comprehend, it is set up in three phases to best re-introduce your body to these foods and textures. Phase 1 is ‘Bringing it back to basics and allows soft-textured and pureed foods to calm your digestive system after it has been inflamed and in distress. Phase 2 is the ‘Introduction of foods and textures’ where soft-textures vegetables, meats, cheeses, and nut butter are re-introduced. Phase 3 ‘Remission’ occurs when most symptoms have diminished and incorporates different textured vegetables, fruits, and beans into the diet. There has been much success in the implementation of the protocol. If you are interested in learning more about the IBD-AID protocol, resources to the UMass Center For Applied Nutrition are posted below.
Written by:
Elizabeth Hoffman, Nutrition Intern Fall 2021
Link to Protocol and Website:
References:
“IBD-Aid Foods List.” UMass Chan Medical School, 17 Sept. 2021, https://www.umassmed.edu/nutrition/ibd/foods-list-for-ibd-diet/.
Lewis, Sarah. “Probiotics and Prebiotics: What's the Difference?” Healthline, Healthline Media, 9 Sept. 2020, https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/probiotics-and-prebiotics#benefits.
Zhang, Y. Z., & Li, Y. Y. (2014). Inflammatory bowel disease: pathogenesis. World journal of gastroenterology, 20(1), 91–99. https://doi.org/10.3748/wjg.v20.i1.91
